Is Buying a Home Without an Agent Right for You? Take This Quiz to Find Out!

Thinking about buying a home on your own? Skipping a real estate agent might seem like a great way to save money, but it also means handling the entire process yourself—from negotiating and paperwork to inspections and potential pitfalls.

Before you commit to going solo, take this quiz to see if you’re ready for the challenge or if having an expert in your corner might be the better move.

The Rules:

For each question, pick the answer that best describes you and note the point value. At the end, total up your score and check your results!

1) How confident are you in understanding contracts and legal documents?

1. I read terms and conditions for fun. Bring on the fine print! (+10)
2. I can probably get through them with some Googling and a few deep sighs. (+5)
3. I assume it’s standard and sign on the dotted line. (+1)

2) You find a house you love. What’s your strategy for making an offer?

1. I analyze market data, strategize, and submit a strong, competitive offer. (+10)
2. I write up an offer that feels right and hope for the best. (+5)
3. I call the listing agent and tell them how much I’m willing to pay. (+1)

3) A home inspection reveals some issues. How do you handle it?

1. I review the report carefully, negotiate repairs, and ensure work is done properly before closing. (+10)
2. I ask the seller to fix everything and live with whatever they agree to do. (+5)
3. I demand that everything be fixed or I will cancel the contract. (+1)

4) How comfortable are you with negotiating directly with the seller’s agent?

1. I’m ready to go head-to-head with a seasoned professional. (+10)
2. I’ll give it a shot and hope the agent is a horrible negotiator. (+5)
3. I’ll just agree to whatever they suggest and hope I don’t regret it. (+1)

5) You’re trying to schedule a showing, but the listing agent isn’t responding. What do you do?

1. I follow up professionally and persistently until I get a response. (+10)
2. If they decide to have an open house, I’ll try and go then. (+5)
3. I just presume the house is sold and wait for another house to hit the market. (+1)

6) How do you determine if a home is fairly priced?

1. I research recent sales, market trends, and comparable properties. (+10)
2. I look at the Zestimate and hope it’s accurate. (+5)
3. I just presume it’s overpriced and offer less than they are asking. (+1)

7) You’re in a multiple-offer situation. What’s your plan?

1. I craft a competitive offer with the appealing terms and contingencies. (+10)
2. I offer slightly more than the asking price and cross my fingers. (+5)
3. I write a heartfelt letter and bake cookies for the seller. (+1)

8) You just found out the appraisal came in lower than your offer. Now what?

1. I appeal the appraisal, and if it’s still low, try to negotiate with the seller. (+10)
2. I get mad, blame the appraiser, and hope the seller just lowers the price. (+5)
3. I demand the seller lower the price immediately or threaten to walk. (+1)

9) You find out the home has title issues. What’s your next step?

1. Work with a title company or attorney to resolve the issue before closing. (+10)
2. Freak out and assume I’m losing the house. (+5)
3. What’s a title issue? (+1)

10) The seller’s agent is giving you vague answers about something important. You…

1. Ask detailed follow-up questions and insist on written clarification. (+10)
2. Trust that it’s not a big deal since they don’t seem concerned. (+5)
3. Probably won’t even know whether it’s something important or not. (+1)

Your Results:

80-100 points: You might just be the unicorn of homebuyers! You have the knowledge, confidence, and skills to navigate the process without an agent. But even the best DIY buyers can benefit from expert guidance, so you might want to have an agent in mind to hire if you find yourself a little bit over your head at some point.

40-79 points: You could probably pull off buying a home on your own, but be prepared for some bumps along the way. You might save on commission, but you could also end up costing yourself more than you save if you make a mistake or two. If you try to go solo, definitely have an agent lined up who is ready to step in and help you if things get a little too difficult for you.

10-39 points: Buying a home without an agent isn’t a good decision for you. There are too many details, negotiations, and potential pitfalls to handle alone. A good agent can save you time, money, and stress, so hire an agent as soon as you decide to start house hunting.